Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-08-07

both that l could not escape feeling
anxious abou. their future. knew
Rose we'll enough to believe that she
would cling to Gilbert, no matter how
much she was opposed; while l was
equally sure that Judge Darlington
would never ccuntenance the match
which even / did not regard as equal.
| felt very badly about the whole
affair. 1t was worse than death to
me to realize that Rose belonged to
another; yet | was more unhappy for
her than for myself. did not know
that there was anything l could do to
help her Il shall not say him; for,
although from boyhood we had been
fast friends, did not feel particularly
endeared to him at this time)
still / was willing to make
the venture. With this end in
view, as we strolled over my estate,
Ga genuine Pennsylvania farm, which
was located some miles out of Phila-
delphia) | encouraged him to talk to
me about his love.
Vance" he said, as we sauntered
through the blossoming apple orchard,
"You are lucky. If | owned half of
your land | should consider myself
happy man."
"What would you do with it," |
asked, as an idea suddenly presented
itself to me, eff it was all yours?"
"Marry, Rose" promptly responded
Norwood "and settle down upou it."
"Do you think" l asked, "that if
she was your wife, you could make
her happy"
81 have no doubt of it," said Gil
bert, as cloud rested upon his hand
some face; " it is poverty alone which
stands between her and me-"
Rose had. repeatedly told me the
same, and jealous as / was l was
forced to admit, as l thought of her
and looked at him, that they seemed
born for each other. If they were,
why should not l, who had neither
heart nor hope, except in her, put
myself entirely aside, and thereby
make it possible for them to marry.
Excuse me-" said, as the notion
took possession of me, "we are near
my mothers grave, and want to visit
it alone"
Certainly" said Gilbert, as he
flung himself down beneath tree and
slowly walked toward the sacred
spot.
The tomb was embedded in clump
of willows and was marked by sim
pie slat of marble, upon which was
engraven "Asleep." Upon her
mound, pansies and lilies of the val
ley bloomed.
For long time, | wrestled with
myself beside the grave. 1t was hard
for me to root up so many tender as
sociations, and to slip like an ac-
cursed thing out of the sight of men,
yet for love of Rose | was willing to
do it. l had no thought of suicide. /
merely contemplated disappearance.
How or when, l did not know, but
had no doubt that in some way /
should be able to assume my demise.
When my mind was fully made up
an older, sadder, and an altogether
changed man, | returned to Norwood.
Colbert" said, as joined him,
81 have now told you how am suf-
fering from fatal malady, which will
soon terminate my life. But as | am
aware that | cannot live long, and as
| am unwilling to go off intestate, !
have decided to make my will and
appoint you my heir"
"Great Heavens, Vance!" cried
Norwood, utterly appalled,, ''you are
not in earnest?"
"Look at me-" said; "do l not
look i'll ?"
"Yes," said Gilbert, profoundly
shocked by my altered appearance,
"but you were all right when you left
me short time ago."
It is my heart which is diseased"
| replied, "and have just gotten over
one of my worst attacks"
~ hope" said Gilbert, deeply dis
tressed; ..you do not think | meant
anything like this, when l spoke OF
owning the farm"
81 think nothing OF the kind" /
answered, "but as there is chance
that you will soon fall into my old
shoes, it can do no harm to settle the
matter legally"
Upon the following day, l consulted
a physician, whom had no difficulty
in persuading that my heart was in an
abnormal condition, and that in con-
sequence death was likely to ensue at
at any moment. Then l informed
Judge Carrington and Rose of my
danger and made my will. The ordeal
was frightful.
CHAPTER III.
About month after made my
will, and when l was on the verge of
either killing myself or Of breaking
down, / called at Mrs. Norwood's
(Gilbert's mother), to see if she had
heard anything of my trow- broken
Joe. He was an habitual drunkard.
He had contracted dissipated habits
while he was at college, and, although
| had done my utmost to reform him,
| had long since abandoned all hope
of him. He had been absent for six
months, why or where no one knew,
but his room was still kept for him at
Mrs. Norwood's, where for years he
had made his home.
When / reached the house, rang
several times, but, as my summons
were not answered, concluded that
no one was at home, and opened the
door with Joe's key, which l hap
pened to have in my possession.
| l went directly to my brothers.
room, whiah was situated on the
second floor, and which entered by
the means of another key, which /
also had in my pocket. The shutters
were closed and the room was shad-
owy; but, as stepped into the apart
ment was surprised to sec Joe, whom
l supposed to be asleep, lying upon
the bed.
"Old boy" exclaimed, as / hast
ened up to him and placed my hand
upon his shoulder, 81 am glad to have
you back again."
| He neither spoke nor moved, and
when, in alarm, seized his hand, l
found that it was cold as ice. "Joe"
l cried, "Joe Wake up?"
But his voice was hushed forever.